Presidential advisors slam armed Peshmerga presence in Şırnak

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, Türkiye — Dec. 1, 2025

Senior advisors to the Turkish Presidency have strongly criticized the presence of uniformed, heavily armed Peshmerga guards during former Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani's visit to Şırnak, labeling the incident a violation of diplomatic protocol.

The controversy erupted after images surfaced showing Barzani arriving in Turkey via the Habur Border Gate to attend a symposium dedicated to the 17th-century scholar Molla Ahmed-i Cezirî. The footage of his security detail, equipped with long-barreled weapons and military uniforms, drew sharp rebukes from Ankara, with officials asserting that state dignity and established protocols must be respected regardless of the guest's stature.

'Protocol does not match the status'

Presidential Chief Advisor Mustafa Akış expressed disapproval of the images, emphasizing that Barzani currently holds no official office in either the Kurdistan Regional Government or the Iraqi Central Government. Akış argued that the protocol applied to Barzani should mirror that of former Turkish statesmen abroad.

"The protocol applied to [former Turkish Presidents] Abdullah Gül or Ahmet Necdet Sezer abroad is roughly what should be applied to Mr. Barzani," Akış stated. He further noted that even for visiting heads of state, foreign security details are generally prohibited from wearing military uniforms or carrying long-barreled weapons, with exceptions made only for ceremonial officers.

Akış rejected the notion that the Turkish state was unable to provide security, adding, "The Republic of Türkiye is not a weak state that cannot protect its guest in Şırnak; on the contrary, it is powerful enough to protect him."

'Shadow on state reputation'

Another Presidential Chief Advisor, Oktay Saral, issued a stern statement regarding the footage, warning that the government would not tolerate any actions that undermine state authority. Describing the images as incompatible with established customs, Saral said the display cast a shadow on the state's "deep-rooted reputation."

"We know how to welcome guests, but we will not let anyone trample on our state's line, protocol, and dignity," Saral said. "Barzani does not hold any official duty today. Therefore, the treatment shown should be at the level of a former statesman; anything more damages state seriousness."

Opposition calls it a 'scandal'

The images also drew criticism from opposition figures. Ümit Özdağ, leader of the Victory Party (Zafer Partisi), described the situation as a "scandal." Özdağ contended that foreign security personnel are typically limited to carrying handguns subject to prior diplomatic declaration, asserting that "machine guns or long-barreled weapons" are strictly prohibited under standard diplomatic norms.

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